Nadia (1984 TV Movie)

Conchata Ferrell: Mili Simonescu

Quotes 

• Mili Simonescu : [arguing with Nicholae about allowing the Onesti team to compete in a Paris gymnastics exhibition]  Nicu, you are the expert for men, I for women. Trust me! We have no better girls here, or anywhere else in Romania. The Karolyis are training champions!

  Nicholae Vieru : That is another thing: I really do not like your man Karolyi. He is ruthless. He will do anything to win.

  Mili Simonescu : Yes, he will.

  [grins] 

  Mili Simonescu : Isn't that wonderful?

• Bela Karolyi : [at dinner, discussing the upcoming Olympic Games in Montreal]  If we don't go, I'll tell everyone why. Including the press.

  Mili Simonescu : That would *not* be wise.

  Bela Karolyi : A-ha! Tell me, where are all the wise coaches?

  Mili Simonescu : I don't know.

  Bela Karolyi : That's because you've never heard of them. Being wise is not what we do best.

  Marta Karolyi : [holds up the soup tureen lid to cover Bela's mouth]  Would you like more, Mili?

  Mili Simonescu : Don't tempt me, Marta, thank you. Take care, Bela. Don't push too hard.

  Bela Karolyi : [puts his hand over Marta's and pushes the lid back onto the tureen]  *That* is what we do best.

• Mili Simonescu : [about Nicholae Vieru]  He's very interested in our Onesti program. He sees you as the bright stars of our future.

  [Nicholae walks to the Bucharest team and greets them with open arms and a flower bouquet] 

  Bela Karolyi : [sarcastically]  Yes, I can see that.

• Nicholae Vieru : [arguing over Nadia, who has gained weight and is out of shape]  She is not even training.

  Mili Simonescu : No. She is not. For the first time since she was six years old. But she will.

  Nicholae Vieru : She must. I want you to confine her to the dormitory, and restrict her eating.

  Mili Simonescu : You want me to do that?

  Nicholae Vieru : Yes. Now. And no visitors.

• [Nicholae and Mili watch a news broadcast, as the announcer states: 'In Paris, Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci won the hearts of the audience in a surprise appearance. Professor Bela Karolyi stated that she is one of many top-caliber gymnasts currently training at his school, who will be competing at *all* of the upcoming European events.'] 

  Nicholae Vieru : That is blackmail!

  Mili Simonescu : [laughing]  But he's right!

• Mili Simonescu : [talking about the upcoming Olympics in Montreal and the difficulties of getting the Onesti team there]  You must understand Vieru's problem. Bucharest is the capital. It has the most expensive facilities, the most experienced coaches, and supposedly the best gymnasts.

  Bela Karolyi : Does Bucharest win medals? No. Onesti wins medals.

• Nicholae Vieru : [about Bela]  For years I have been putting up with that egomaniac!

  Mili Simonescu : He's winning.

  Nicholae Vieru : I don't like him.

  Mili Simonescu : You like him to win, don't you?